Footballer Fred Sharman was a very special person indeed
WE ASKED if anybody could remember footballer Fred Sharman and it turns out he was a very special man in deed.
The other week a great photograph turned up in one of our regular trawls through the Loughborough Echo archive captioned “Fred Sharman with cup”.
It was taken for the Echo by “H Woods” of 19 Edward Street, Loughborough, and the picture was dated 20-4-1947.
We asked who Fred Sharman was and could anyone remember him and it seems the town man was quite a footballer; playing for the muchrespected Loughborough Corinthiball ans, before signing for Leicester City in the early 1930s
He played for Leicester until the war broke out and then later played for Brush Sports FC.
Fred’s son, Brian Sharman, got in touch to tell us of his dad’s career playing for Leicester City and his memories of watching him play for Brush Sports at Brown’s Lane, Loughborough.
Brian, 77, said that Fred had to leave Leicester City when the war broke out and he was working in a reserved occupation at the Brush works.
Brian has a sister Janet and he added that Fred himself had five brothers and two sisters.
Sadly Fred passed away at the age of just 47 from a heart attack, when Brian was aged 17.
“He was a nice bloke, very jovial.” Brian wasn’t born when Fred played for Leicester (between 1934-1939) but remembers going to watch him at Brown’s lane.
“It used to get packed on Saturday afternoons. He was a good player and scored a few goals.”
Brian added that Fred also played cricket for the Brush, alongside the likes of Les Carrington and Henry Redfern.
He said that his dad liked a game of golf and used to play with Leicester city winger Danny Liddle.
Gary Sharman also contacted Looking Back to say: “Fred was my great uncle, who played for Leicester City in the 30’s and 40’s.
“He was Loughborough born and bred. Sadly I never got to meet him, but my dad and his family were always proud of Fred.”
Well-known Loughborough foot
historian Dave Kirkby, has also e-mailed to say give details on Fred’s career and also the picture we published.
Dave said: “The cup Fred is holding is the Leicestershire FA Senior Cup won by Brush Sports, ironically for Fred, with a 4-2 victory over Leicester City before 4,500 spectators on Brown’s Lane.
“The triumphant Brush X1 contained a few famous local names: Gibson, Bardsley, Johnson, Hoult, Sharman, Wood, Whelband, Dumelow, Grant, Carrington and Foster.
“The boot to say was on the other foot a few years earlier though when Fred’s was involved in the 1934 Senior Cup Final won by his former club Loughborough Corinthians with a 2-1 victory over Leicester City before 3,250 spectators at Filbert Street.”
Dave added that Fred was born in 1912 and also played for Loughborough Red Triangle at one point. He said that Fred played as defender/ centre forward.
His Leicester City record was 254 appearances with 19 goals and he had a brief spell as LCFC Reserve Team Trainer.
Nigel Wayment, 71, of Loughborough got in touch to tells us of Fred Sharman’s football career and family.
Leicester City fan Nigel; told how a fellow worker of his once gave him an old Leicester City programme from way back in 1939, which included Fred.
He said he felt the memento ought to stay in the family and kindly gave it to one of Fred’s relations.
Nigel is a former local football player himself, playing for Loughborough Dynamo, Loughborough United and
Shelthorpe Social Club.
He also ran the London Marathon twice and also won the Tamworth Half.
Dave Knight, from Long Whatton, also contacted saying that prior to getting married in 1957, he lived in Shelthorpe in Loughborough and Fred lived four doors away.
He says that the Leicester goalkeeper, Les Major, also lived in the same street.
Dave said: “They both worked at Brush Engineering works in the town It makes you think, when you know that they both cycled to Leicester to play in those days and were paid a pittance comparatively.
“This was done whilst working full time at their day jobs in the week.”
Dave added that Freddie was captain at Leicester city pre-war and on one occasion, possibly post war, he was the 13th centre forward to be tried out although he was a centre half.
Vic St.Denis of Manor Farm Meadow, East Leake said: “I was thrilled to see the photo of Fred Sharman.
“I was lucky to have lived next door to Fred, his wife, children Brian and Janet. He lived at 36 Manor Road in Shelthorpe we were at 38. I have many fond memories of Fred.
“My own dad died when I was 17 and Fred became an even more of a role model to me.
“He was an all round sportsman, he played football for Leicester and cricket to a high standard for local clubs. When I started to play football in my teens he showed me how to re-stud my old fashioned boots.
“He was the head of a lovely family and it was a great shock when he died.”